![]() Your title page contains all of the vital information about your manuscript and you as the author. ![]() While the above is a general guide that will get you part way to creating a proper manuscript format, there are additional rules you’ll want to follow to make the manuscript-to-finished-book conversion as seamless as possible. Some agents and publishers might have their own guidelines you should follow, so be sure to double-check if they want something different before submitting. Double-spaced lines with no extra space between paragraphs.Times New Roman or similar serif typeface.8.5” x 11” paper size (or A4, roughly 8.25″ x 11.75″, in some parts of the world).General Guidelines for Proper Manuscript Formatįiction and nonfiction books have the following specifications in common: In the end, that can also save you money!Īnd if you’re formatting your own book for production, you’ll save a lot of time and hassle if you start with a clean manuscript format. For editors, adding editing marks and updates will be easier and will keep interior book designers from having to spend hours undoing improper formatting. When you hire someone to edit or format your book’s interior, having a standardized manuscript format will make it easier for them to work with your manuscript. On the self-publishing side, a formatted manuscript serves the same purpose when it comes to laying out your book. Assuming you get a publishing contract, that properly formatted manuscript will make the book formatter’s job a lot easier, as they’ll be able to feed your manuscript into their page layout software without running into a bunch of errors. On the traditional publishing side, a proper manuscript format shows that you’re a professional who takes your work seriously. Whether you’re going to self-publish your book or look for a traditional publisher, a properly formatted manuscript is crucial. Why You Need a Properly Formatted Manuscript Save Time on Proper Manuscript Formatting.Final Details to Make Your Manuscript Format Shine ![]() Formatting Other Pages in Your Manuscript General Guidelines for Proper Manuscript Format.Why You Need a Properly Formatted Manuscript.What Goes into a Proper Manuscript Format? The good news is that formatting your manuscript isn’t that difficult! And knowing these guidelines before you start writing your final draft will make getting your manuscript ready for the next steps that much easier. If your manuscript comes across an agent’s or editor’s desk with non-standard formatting, it’s almost certainly going to end up in the trash without ever being read. Proper manuscript format becomes even more important if you want to seek out a traditional publishing deal. That’s the difference between a manuscript that is not properly formatted based on industry standards and one that follows established guidelines.Įven if you plan to format your own book for self-publishing, starting with a clean manuscript format will make getting to the finish line easier. You can immediately start decorating and not waste any time untangling things. Look at it this way: have you ever tried to pull out holiday decorations and realized that everything is all just jumbled together in a box? Strings of lights, ornaments, and any other decorations come out in a big tangled ball that takes you hours of extra work just to start decorating.Ĭompare that to pulling out a box of decorations that were carefully packed away, with light strings wrapped up individually and ornaments packed away into organizers. Having the right manuscript format makes manuscript review, editing and event formatting easier. Whether you’re looking to self-publish or want to seek out a traditional publisher, knowing the proper manuscript format can help set your book up for success.
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